Garota de Ipanema

The story behind Garota de Ipanema, in its version performed by Toquinho alongside Vinícius de Moraes, takes us to a very particular moment. The album O Poeta e o Violão, released in 1975, was conceived in a single live recording session at a studio in Milan. What’s interesting about this recording is that it took place in an atmosphere of total relaxation, with comments, laughter, and even failed attempts that were preserved. Accompanied solely by Toquinho’s guitar, both artists revisited much of Vinícius de Moraes’ musical career, from his early collaborations with figures like Carlos Jobim and Carlos Lyra to his work with Baden Powell and, of course, with Toquinho himself. It’s one of the rare occasions where you can hear Vinícius de Moraes perform his most famous songs.

Toquinho, whose real name is Antonio Pecci Filho, was born in São Paulo in 1946. From a young age, he showed a great interest in music, beginning his guitar studies at fourteen with Paulinho Nogueira. His musical training expanded with classes in harmony, classical guitar, and orchestration, guided by teachers such as Edgar Janulo, Isaías Sávio, Leo Peracchi, and Oscar Castro Neves. His first performances were in schools and universities, and he became a professional in the 1960s. In 1969, he traveled to Italy, a country where he has maintained a constant presence. The following year, he composed his first major hit, Que Maravilha, alongside Jorge Ben. It was in that same year, 1970, that Vinicius de Moraes invited him to participate in shows in Buenos Aires, marking the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that lasted eleven years. Together, they created around 120 songs, recorded 25 albums, and performed over a thousand concerts. Among their joint compositions are pieces like O Bem-amado and Carta ao Tom 74. Toquinho held a deep affection for Vinicius de Moraes, going so far as to say he "took advantage of him until the end" because they lived together and he was present at the final moments of his companion. The duration of this iconic musical piece is 2 minutes and 54 seconds.